The Revolutionary period had much more substance to it than meets the eye. Although it is often looked at as just Americans creating the United States of America, that is not the only perspective that should be taken away from the American Revolution. It should be recognized more as Englishmen, as Anglo Protestants, getting away from England. There are numerous diverse perspectives and events that shaped the American Revolution. Some of the most imperative instances are Religion, Anglo Americans, the Intolerable Acts and taxes, and the role of the Tories.
One of the most overlooked perspective of the popular view has to do with religion. The eighteenth century colonists had a plethora of options to choose from when it came to religion. Many
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These people were called Tories. Tories, also known as loyalists, were colonists that stayed faithful to Britain during the Revolutionary War. They consisted of royal officials, wealthy merchants, conservative urban lawyers, people who disliked pro-revolution citizens, southern slaves who looked to Britain in hope of freedom, and a multitude of Indian tribes. Contrary to popular view, one could argue that the American Revolution was not only a fight between the Patriots and the British, but it was really a civil war between the Rebels and the Tories. The fight between the Rebels and the Tories can be described as brutal because of the guerilla warfare, brigade war, tarring and feathering, and killings that were exhibited between the two sides. According to Tories: Fighting For the King in America’s First Civil War, General Nathanael Greene stated, “The division among the people is much greater than I imagined and the Whigs and Tories persecute each other, with little less than savage fury. There is nothing but murders and devastation in every quarter.” (Thomas Allen p. 1). The Tories main concern was stability, which the British could provide to them unlike the rebels. Many times, this would divide families because they would disagree on whether they wanted to be a Tory or a Rebel. Additionally, if they decided to ultimately be a Tory, they would join the British army to fight against the Patriots or flee to Canada or back to England. Although their role in the American Revolution was to support the British, even with the Tories help, the British were still
Religion played a big role in the cause of the American independence movement and eventually the American Revolution. It had such a big role because because, the majority of colonists were associated with some form of Christianity. Christianity encourages its members to be free and that those who are faithful to Him, God will set free, from tyrants, oppressors, and other forms of enemies. Another way it had such a big role in causing the American Independence movement, and revolution, is that Pastors, in sermons that they preached, encouraged the colonists to fight for their freedom and that God wanted them to fight. This pushed many people to choose a side and mostly to choose the side of the Patriots. This is also seen in the sermons of many
4. What was the Revolutionary movement, at its core, really all about? Was it about the amount of taxation, the right of Parliament to tax, the political corruption of Britain and the virtue of America, the right of a king to govern America, or the colonies’ growing sense of national identity apart from Britain? Was the Revolution truly a radical overturning of government and society—the usual definition of a revolution—or something far more limited or even conservative in its defense of traditional rights?
Loyalists In between 1760 and 1800, conflict ensued between Great Britain and the American colonies, now the United States. Because of certain events and documents, those who had not chosen a side would have benefitted more if indecisive individuals become loyal to the British crown. Those who obeyed to Great Britain were known as loyalists, or, according to the DBQ Theme assignment, “Tories.” The unsure colonists would benefit more if converting to loyalists because of Great Britain’s power and strength, economic superiority, and that the patriots are of barbaric and violent nature.
At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists or King’s Men. Patriots called them “Persons inimical of the liberties of America.” The Patriots, those who supported the revolution, opposed them. 15% of the loyalists or 65,000-70,000 fled to other parts of the British Empire (SFI five, HISTORY.com). Patriots, who were also known as Rebels, Revolutionaries, Continentals or American-Whigs. They were those colonists of the Thirteen Colonies who violently rebelled against British control during the American Revolution and in July 1776 declared the United States of America an independent
The American Revolution fundamentally changed American considerably politically because Americans rely on democracy rather than monarchy, socially because the roles of certain social groups experienced a nuance change, and economically because the Americans freed themselves from having to send their raw materials to England and started to manufacture their own products.
The American Revolution was tremendously revolutionary in the sense that it completely changed the culture and way of thinking of the American people. The changes occurred in the way of thinking, religion, feelings about slavery, and the country itself. Although the American Revolution technically ended in 1783, there was a social and political revolution occurring for a long period afterward. After the Revolution, Americans shifted from a British colonist way of thought to a purely American one. This change shaped America and made it what it is today.
The American Revolution had a very intense fundamental change on American society between the years 1775 to 1800. The thirst for independence resulted in the revolution which caused many political, social, and economic changes. When the revolution began, the people were drowning in jingoism, and after the seven years of fighting for our independence, several changes had to be made. Although some political, social, and economic parts of society seem to have remained the same, America experienced drastic fundamental changes throughout these years and set the standards for even more changes to come.
In 1775, American colonists declared war to gain political independence from Britain. Not only were the American colonists wanting nationhood, but the belief that all men were created equal and that all people had certain rights that no one could reject. Not only was it a fight for independence and rights, but also religion played a huge role throughout the American Revolution. To start off, I will explain a little bit of background about the American Revolution. Then, I will tell about the religious movement throughout the American Revolution, such as who was involved and how did the religion impact this area during the revolution.
The foremost denominations within America before the country’s independence were Congregationalists, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Quakers, Methodist and Baptists. These are referred to as the orthodox denominations. Roman Catholics were in a small community in Maryland as well has Catholic Indian missions. However, the Congregationalists, Anglicans, Quakers and Presbyterians were the raining sects in America. During the Revolution, including the Confederation years, church attendance dramatically dropped. The Enlightenment consisted of multiple philosophers that were able to convince Americans that thinking on one’s own was enough for truth and reason. The philosophers stated how the Bible was a book of contradictions; with its wisdom, in addition to mythology and irrational nonsense. After the revolution, the Anglican Church took another hit with decline in membership. Most of their ministers had been Loyalist to Great Britain during the American
Even though America was now completely self-sufficient, there were still people loyal to England. Often referred to as the "Tories", they did not want to abandon their parent country. The loyalists believed that America would never survive without England's protection and guidance. Mather Byles said, "...which is better, to be ruled by one tyrant three thousand miles away, or by three thousand tyrants not a mile away." (The Famous Mather Byles). People like him believed that creating a separate government in America would not solve any problems, but only create more new ones. Others preached that it is a shame to leave their parent country. However, since the loyalists made up a small percentage of the population and were generally rich, the majority of people rarely favored their ideas. Prior to the breakout of the Revolution, many Tories had been tarred and feathered, beaten, or were subjected to other forms of punishment.
The Revolutionary war was incredibly revolutionary because it was the transformation from the colonies to the United States of America, they escaped the deathly tax and escaped from the Proclamation of 1763, and now they transformed from a horrible Parliament to a democracy and a change to a more moderate class. The revolution now sparked a beginning of an America without being under the rule of King George the third and Britain (Declaration of Independance and the tearing down of the Statue Royale in New York). They had a majestic change from “the colonies” to the “United States of America.” They fought to escape the deathly taxes from the British.. America has transformed from being an afterthought of the British to the United States of
The American Revolution is typically looked at as a conservative movement, but it seems most of the actions taken were very radical. They were fighting to defend their rights, governed and natural. The American Revolution was as radical as any other revolution, in a special 18th century way, and this seems to hold true while looking at the new waves of thinking. It involves the Whigs and Tories, and while they are at opposite sides of the spectrum, they consecutively agreed to not address and higher-law principles so they would not have to rework their entire system.. The Revolution worked against this, and the parties chose to pretend it was not a serious movement and act, as they believed it would not take any effect. More people got involved and all aspects of life began to be questioned and revolutionized. The Revolution seems to be radical in a more definitive way as it caused segregation of beliefs, the Declaration of independence, and
It is a fairly well known fact that the colonization of the New World in general, and more specifically, what would become eventually become the United States of America, was heavily based upon commercial endeavors. However, it was also heavily influenced by the desire of people to possess and preserve religious independence. Placing the potential for commercial success aside and focusing on the religious aspects of colonization, the proliferation of various religions over the course of colonial history is quite extensive and, by proxy, its’ influence upon developing colonial societies was far-reaching. Because of the historical significance of many different religions throughout the colonies, it would also suggest that religious diversity was likely equally impactful in eliciting change. All of this leads this author to speculate about how much influence religion had upon colonial upheaval over time and whether or not the ensuing dissent was a major factor in the lead up to The French and Indian War and eventual revolution of the American colonies. To uncover the significance and role religion played in the American colonies, a number of different articles were reviewed, each representing different perspectives, points of view, and empirical evidence about religion in colonial America.
The American Revolution set the ground work for a major change in the New England colonies. It was a time of significant governmental changes on political and social levels, and a growing ideology on the obedience of a women and the dissolution of slavery.
The American Revolution was predicated by a number of ideas and events that, combined, led to a political and social separation of colonial possessions from the home nation and a coalescing of those former individual colonies into an independent nation.